Free walking tours in Comillas and what to see

Must-sees

Comillas is a seaside town that filled with Modernista architecture in the late 19th century thanks to the first Marquis of Comillas. Its best-known building is El Capricho, one of Gaudí’s few works outside Catalonia, with its tower covered in sunflower tiles. Right next to it is the neo-Gothic Sobrellano Palace, with its pantheon chapel. On the hill opposite you will see the old Pontifical University.

The old town is small and easy to walk. Start at Plaza del Corro Campíos and continue along cobbled streets with stone mansions and wooden balconies. Climb to the cemetery, built on the ruins of a Gothic church and watched over by Josep Llimona’s angel. Finish at the harbour and the beach, from where you can see the monument to the marquis.

Free tours and guided visits

Pay-what-you-wish free tours are not usual in Comillas, although in summer there are sometimes walks through the historic centre and its Modernisme. Most people combine exploring on their own with paid guided visits. It is worth going into the Sobrellano Palace and the old university with a guide, because the explanation helps you understand the story of the marquis and his architects. El Capricho can be visited on your own with an audio guide or in guided groups.

Easy trips start from here. You can go to Santillana del Mar and the Altamira area, San Vicente de la Barquera or El Soplao cave. For nature, Oyambre Natural Park has beaches and marshes a few minutes away. They are short outings that fit into half a day, on your own or with a guide.

How long to spend

You can see Comillas in a full day. Spend the morning at El Capricho and Sobrellano, and the afternoon in the old town, the cemetery and the harbour. If you stay two or three days, use the town as a base for the western coast of Cantabria and a nearby cave.

Where to stay

The most practical choice is to stay in or around the old town, because everything is a stroll away and the terraces are lively at night. If you prefer the sea, look near Comillas beach, also a few minutes from the centre. For quiet stays with a car, the rural houses in nearby villages such as Ruiloba or Ruiseñada are a good option and cheaper.